Jamaal Lascelles and Jamie Paterson commit to Nottingham Forest

18 March 2014

Jamaal Lascelles and Jamie Paterson have signed new long-term contracts with Nottingham Forest.

Reds academy product Lascelles, who earlier this month was called up to the England Under-21 squad for the first time, had been linked with a move away from the City Ground but the highly-rated defender has put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

Arsenal, who had a &pound;5million bid for the centre-half rejected in January 2011, were reported to have renewed their interest in the 20-year-old while it is thought that Liverpool have sent representatives to watch Lascelles on several occasions this season.

In January of this year Everton were fined &pound;45,000 for making an illegal approach for the player in 2010.

However, Lascelles has now committed his long-term future to the club and the Reds will hope that will be enough to quell the interest from his suitors in the Barclays Premier League.

Paterson has also signed a new four-and-a-half-year deal after impressing during his first season on the banks of the River Trent.

The 22-year-old forward has scored 10 goals, including a hat-trick against West Ham in the FA Cup, since making the step up to the Sky Bet Championship from League 1 club Walsall in the summer.

Forest owner and chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi announced both deals via his official Twitter account on Tuesday evening.